Dear fellow alums and current students/scholars,

As the Club will soon celebrate its 5th anniversary, it is a perfect moment to have a brief look back before looking ahead. A great deal has been accomplished during the Club's first five years, and all of it is thanks - in one way or another - to the members of the Club! I remember the first events when I knew every guest, if not in person or by face, then at least by name, on beforehand. However, adding a new member to the Club is still as rewarding as it was during the first year, since I know that she/he will contribute to carrying the Club forward.

Among the many achievements and highlights from the Club's first five years, let me mention a few that stands out in particular. Since the Club's first active year (2008), it has arranged four successful Annual Dinners with high-ranking key-note speakers such as Jan Eliasson, Inga-Britt Ahlenius and Peter Nobel, who have all become honorary members of the Club. Another very succesful event was when the former US Ambassador and Harvard alum Mathew Barzun invited the Club members for cocktails at his residence and offered a special "Kentucky-Crimson" cocktail in addition to great food and art. A touch of Harvard was provided when Harvard Professor Steve Kelman held a presentation (in Swedish!) on the Upcoming US Presidential election. I am also delighted that a strong link to the current Harvard students has been created through the establishment of the Club's Student chapter, founded by Maria Persson Gulda. In addition, the Club raises awareness about Harvard among potential Harvard students though the Harvard Book Prize, which is sponsored by Harvard Club members.

Turning my gaze to the future, I am proud to present the Club's new website which is a modern and more functional website which will facilitate things for both current and potential members, and for Club volunteers. One of the Club's greatest strengths to draw upon also in the future is its diversity. Since the Club cover all schools of Harvard, its members represents a wide variety of specialties, skills, knowledge and networks. The Club has been fortunate to benefit from this diversity by e.g., finding speakers among the members or through their networks or by members hosting events. The diversity also contributes to fulfilling one of the aims of the Club: to foster intellectual curiosity! It is also promising for the future of the Club that it has a very diverse and engaged Board as well as a pool of volunteers who all contribute to the running of the Club. However, there is always room for more volunteers and it is even crucial in the long run that more alums get engaged in the Club, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to contribute more actively!

Finally, I have to add that the Club has also given me a lot personally. It has been very rewarding to serve as its President and Vice President for many reasons, but the best reward of all are the many friends I have made through the Club. Therefore, I hope that for you too, the Harvard Club of Sweden is not only a club which fosters your intellectual curiosity, but a Club where you meet friends - even those you didn't know before!

My sincere and warmest greetings to all previous, new and potential members,

Gunilla Isaksson, LL.M '03